Merry-go-round



(No Model.)

' 3 she ets sh eet 1.

"H. S; MOORE.

- MERRY G0-RoUND.

Patented 001;. 8,1895.

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' 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. s. MOORE. MERRY-GO-ROUND.

No. 547,614, Patented Oct. 8, 1895.

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AO- v I mom a UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY S. MOORE, OF ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY.

MERRY-GQ=ROUND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,614, dated October8, 1895.

' Application filed May 4. 1894- Serial No. 510,092. (No model.)

' To all whom it may concern.-

useful Improvements in Merry-Go-Bounds;

and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention is an improvement in merrygo-rounds of the class describedin my former patent, No. 504,886, granted September 12, 1893; and itconsists in certain novel features of construction and combination ofparts hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate one form in which I have contemplatedembodying my invention,and said invention is fully .disclosed in thefollowing description and claims. The merry-go-round described and shownin my former patent is one in which a continuous rotary motion isimparted to the frame and at the same time the frame may be swunglaterally first to one side and then to the other while revolving bymechanical means. The device is so arranged that the mechanism forproducing the lateral vibrations of the frame may be thrown out of gearand the device operated like an ordinary merry-go-round.

My present invention contemplates the use of devices for enabling achange to be made from the simple rotary motion of the frame to a rotaryand laterally-vibrating motion, and vice versa, without stopping themachine and without jar or strain upon the parts of the machine or anyinconvenience to the passengers.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the machine,showing portions of the framing sufficient for a clear understanding ofthe invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism for impartingrotary and rotary and vibratory motions to the frame and the devices forchanging from one form of motion to the other. Fig. 3 is a verticalsectional view of the central portion of the machine, taken on a'planeat right angles to the plane of section in Fig. 1. Fig. 4: is anenlarged view of one of the friction-brakes for engaging the interior ofthe friction-band. Fig. 4" represents ahorizontal section on line :10 5cof Fig. 4. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of one of thefriction-clutches forengaging the exterior of the friction-band. Fig. 5 represents ahorizontal section on the line .y y of Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is an enlargeddetail view of the operating mechanism for the friction brakes andclutches. Fig. 7 represents an enlarged sectional view on line 7 7 ofFig. 1. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively a plan view and sectional view ofa modified form of crank for use in the machine.

In the drawings, A represents a central supporting pole or standard,which bears the weight of the whole apparatus and which is supported bystays and braces in any desired manner. At a suitable point on the poleor standard A a sleeve B, having its bottom edge provided with a flangeb, is secured to the pole and preferably rests upon squared portions aof the pole, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3.

Upon the sleeve B is mounted the large gear-wheel 0, provided with teethupon its periphery and having an elongated hub engaging said sleeve andresting upon the flange 1). Motion is imparted to this gear-wheel B bymeans of a driving-pinion d on the driving-shaft D, which is operatedfrom an engine orother suitable source of power in any desired manner.Above the gear-wheel O is a smaller gear-wheel E, having its hubengaging the sleeve B and resting upon a ring e, which separates it fromthe large gear-wheel 0. Above the gear-wheel E is a collar 1), which 'issecured to the sleeve by means of screws 1) passing through the collarand tapped into said sleeve, as shown best in Fig. 3. In order to keepthe sleeve B from turning upon the pole or standard A, I provide thecollar b with two or more vertically-dis posed flanges b curved so as tofit the pole A and secured thereto bylag-screws, as shown. Above thelarge gear-wheel O is a ring or open frame F, towhich the inner ends ofthe horizontal arms H H of the merry-go-round frame are secured as in myformer patent. The outer ends of these arms are secured by means ofinclined supporting-rods f f to a plate G, supported at the top of thepole. I prefer to secure the upper ends of the rods f to the plate G, asshown in Fig. 1. In these figures the plate is shown as provided with avertical aperture for each rod f, and the end of the rodis bent over anddownwardly into a hook form to engage the aperture in the plate, and itis secured therein by a nut on the end of the rod below the plate. Thismakes a very secure fastening, for even if one of the nuts should workloose the hook form of the rod would enable it to retain its hold on theplate. In order to adapt the plate G to the rotary and vibratory motionsof the merry-go-round frame, I prefer to provide the plate with a stemg, which may be cast integrally with said plate or secured thereto andis provided with a hemispherical portion engaginga hemispherical socketg, capped upon the top of the pole or standard. As the weight of theentire merry-go-round comes directly upon this hearing, it is veryimportant that it should be strong, yet susceptible of adapting itselfto the various movements of the device, and I have just described themost suitable for the purpose. In order to allow the upper end of thepole or standard A to be supported, I'provide the plate Gand stem 9 witha vertical passage g through which is passed a steel pin G ofconsiderably less diameter than the said passage. The said pin isinserted and secured in the top of the pole in any desired way, and toits upper end are secured suitable guy-wires G2 G2 to support 1 thepole, or if the lnachineis placed within a l building the said pin G maybe rigidly sccured to a part of the building by guy-wires, or in anyother suitable manner. A short distance above the large gear-wheel C,Isecure a flanged collar K to the pole or standard, which collarsupportsa revoluble ring 70, j which is connected rigidly by a series ofinclined rods to the largegear-wheel O, adja- I cent to its periphery,thus coupling the two parts together and forminga long hub, whichsteadies the motion of the large gear C.

The rotary motion is imparted to the frame of the tnerrygo-round fromthe large gear 0 by means of links 0' 0, (shown in Fig. 2,) whichconnect the gear 0 and the ring F, and these links engage at each endswiveled devices secured to the ring and gear, respectively, in order toaccommodate the vibratory movements of the frame, as in my formerpatent.

The lateral vibratory movements are imparted to the frame of the machineby means of cranks l, secured to gears or pinions L, which are mountedon studs secured to the large gear-wheel O and operatively engage thegear-wheel E, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These cranks are situateddiametrically opposite to each other and are operated simultaneously,and said cranks are each connected to one of the arms 11 of themerry-goround frame by a rod or link Z, as shown in Figs. 1

and 2. In order to securea gentle movement at the beginning of thethrust of the cranks in either direction, I provide each link Z with acushioning device, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. Castings h are secured totwo opposite arms II, each casting being provided with a centralvertical aperture or recess to receive the swivel-pin 1*, provided withan annular ingM.

groove, which is engaged by a set-screw l passing through the casting7e, and thus secures the pin Z in position. The pin 1 1s provided with apair of perforated ears Z Z between which is held the swiveled block Zby means of set-screws Z Z. (See Fig. 7.) The block Z is perforated, andthrough it passes the rod Z from one of the cranks Z. A cushioningdevice comprising, preferably, a spiral spring FF is placed on said rodZ on each side of the block l and said springs engage the adjustablescrew-threaded nuts or collars Z on said rod l, as shown in Fig. 1. Thisconstruction insures an easy lateral movement of the frame in eitherdirection of the same under the thrust orpull of the cranks and preventsunpleasant jar to the passengers, and also allows for all the movementof the frame with respect to the actuating mechanism. I may employblocks of rubber or other elastic devices instead of the springs,iffonnddesirable. It will now be seen, especially by reference to Fig. 2, thatif the gear-wheel E, which drives the laterally-vibrating device, isallowed to revolve about the pole or standard with the large gear 0 thecranks Z will not be operated and the device will be given simply arotary motion. If, however, the gear E be stopped the cranks will beinstantly thrown into operation and the machine will be given both therotary and vibratory movements.

In order to hold the gear-wheel E stationary I provide friction brakes.(Shown best in Figs. 1, 4, and M.) The gearE is provided adjacent to itsperiphery with a vertical friction band or flange E. Upon aprojectingflange formed integrally with the collar 1) is secured a cast- (SeeFigs. 4 and 4 The castinghas its central portion cut away, and in thiscutaway portion is pivoted the operating-lever M. having adownwardly-extending arm for engaging a brake-shoe M and an arm m,extending inwardly toward the pole or stand ard A. The brake-shoe M isformed with a curved face corresponding to the curve of thefriction-band E, and has at each end a rearwardly-extending portion m toengage one side of the casting M, so as to guide the shoe and hold it inproper position. The shoe M is supported by means of two or more guiderods or bolts m which are tapped into the rear face of the shoe andengage loosely guiding apertures m in the casting M. In order to providea suitable friction-surface, the outer face of the shoe M is providedwith a series of recesses m commu nicatin g by means of apertures m ofsmaller diameter with the rear face of the shoe. In these recesses m isplaced a series of wooden plugs m, which project slightly beyond theface of the shoe and engage the friction-band when the arm m of theoperating-lever M is drawn down,and thus act as a friction-brake for theflange E and tend to stop the movement of the friction band or flangeand the gear E. I prefer to provide two of these frictionbrakes, asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, and it will gear E will be brought to a fullstop and will be held stationary by the brakes during the vibratorymovements of the frame.

In order to discontinue the lateral vibra' tory motion and return to asimple rotary motion, I provide a pair of friction devices constructedsimilar to the form of friction-brake shown in detail, Figs. 4 and 4,but which I denominate friction clutches to distinguish them from thefriction brakes. These clutches are shown in detail in Figs. 3, 5, and 5N represents a casting secured to the large gear-wheel 0, having acentral recess to receive the pivoted operating-lever N and having itsfront face curved inwardly, as shown in Fig. 5 to conform to the curveof the friction band or flange E. The operating-lever N has adownwardlyextending arm for engaging the shoe N of the clutch and an armn, which extends toward the pole A. The shoe N is curved inwardly and isprovided with the rearwardly-extending flanges n n, which engage thesides of the casting N. The shoe is sustained in operative position bythe guide rods or bolts 17?, loosely engaging apertures 01 in thecasting N, as described with reference to the brake-shoes, and theShOQ'lS also provided with recesses n apertures m and wooden plugs wlike the similar constructions in the brake-shoes M When it is desiredto remove one of the shoes M or N to renew the wooden plugs, the guidingrods or bolts will be unscrewed and the shoe lifted vertically until itis disengaged from between its casting and the frictionflange, when theplugs may be knocked out by inserting a punch or other tool in theapertures m or 01 as will be clearly understood, and replaced by newplugs.

When it is desired to change from the r0- tary and vibratory motions tosimple rotary motion, it is only necessary to release the brakes mpreviously described, and apply the clutches N to the friction-band.This will cause the gear-wheel E to begin to move gradually with thelarge gear 0, and thus slowly arrest the movement of the cranks until,when the clutches have locked the gear E, so as to revolve with the gear0, the cranks will remain stationary and the machine will receive onlythe simple rotary motion. It is desirable to always look the gear-wheelE to the gear-wheel 0 when the cranks are in an intermediate positionand the merry-go-round frame is horizontal, as otherwise if there weremore people on one side of the frame than the other it might be held inan: inclined position by the extra weight on one side. To accomplishthis I provide each of the frictionclutches with a locking device whichengages a notch or recess in the gear-wheel E and looks it in therequired position after the clutches have been applied and the gearwheelE is beginning to revolve with the gear- Wheel 0. As shown in Figs. 5and 5 this locking device consists of a horizontal locking-lever Npivoted at n in the casting N and having an upwardly-extending arm n toengage a shoulder of the clutch-operating lever N, so that as the saidlever is moved in a direction to apply the shoe N the locking-lever willbe lowered into engagement with the gear-wheel E and when the clutch .isreleased the locking-lever will be lifted.

N represents a spring, which is secured to the casting N and engages thearm n of the locking-lever to force the locking-lever down intooperative position; and in order to allow for adjustment between the armn and the operating-lever N, I provide the arm n with a set-screw nprovided with a jam-nut n as shown. The gear-wheel E is provided at twoopposite points with sockets E to receive the locking-levers N when thecranks are brought into the position shown in Fig. 2 or a similarposition one-half revolution farther around.

I provide means for operating the friction brakes, friction-clutches,and the locking-levers by a single hand wheel or crank located near theground within convenient reach of the operator, so that the change fromrotary to rotary and vibratory motions can be quickly and easilyeifected.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 6, I provide the lower portion of the pole Awith a plate 0, secured rigidly to the pole and provided on its upperedge with bearings fora horizontal shaft 0, upon which are rigidlysecured horizontal arms 0, having yokes on their outer ends. On one sideof the pole A the shaft 0 is provided with vertical arm 0 (see Fig. 6,)which may be formed integrally with the arm 0, as shown, if desired, thesaid arm 0 being also provided with a yoke 0 at its outer end. The yoke0 engages a square nut or threaded collar 0 provided with flanges ateach end and having a central threaded aperture engaging a horizontalscrew-shaft O, mounted in suitable bearings provided on the plate 0 andhaving a hand wheel or crank O for turning the same. It will thus beseen that by turning the crank O the nut or collar 0 will be moved alongthe shaft 0', carrying withit the arm 0 and thus moving the horizontalarms 0' up or down.

P P represent vertically-sliding rods, having their lower ends guided inbearings p p, secured to the pole A, and their upper ends passingthrough vertical passages formed through the sleeve B and ring I), asshown in Figs. 1 and 4.. At their lower ends the said rods P P areprovided with flanges pp', (5360 IIS Fig. 6,) for engaging the yoke inthe end of one of the arms 0, so that the rods may be moved verticallyby means of the screw-shaft 0. At their upper ends the rods P P engage aflanged collar P and are rigidly secured thereto in any desired way.This collar'P is guided in its vertical movements and held againstrotation by vertical guides 29*, secured to the ring or collar 1) attheir lower ends, and at their upper ends to the collar K, which theysupport. In the groove formed between the flanges of the collar P isheld a revolving ring P provided at two opposite points with ears 12 Theinner ends of the operating-arms n for the friction-clutches N N areslotted and are secured to these ears p by pins or bolts, as shown inFigs. 3 and 5, so that as the ring P is moved up and down the clutcheswill be applied or removed, as the case may be. The rods P P are alsoprovided with flanges to engage yokes on the ends of theoperating-levers m in for the friction-brakes M M as shown clearly inFigs. 1 and 4:. By reference to Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 5 it will be seenthat when the rods P P are moved upwardly the friction-clutches N N willbe simultaneously applied and the locking-levers N N will be allowed toengage the gear-wheel E and that the friction-brakes M M will bereleased. When the rods P P are moved downwardly, the friction-clutcheswill be released, the locking-levers will be lifted out of theirlocking-recesses E in the gear-wheel E, and the friction-brakes will besimultaneously applied to the friction-band E. This enables themechanism to be accu rately and positively controlled by an operatorfrom a point adjacent to the ground, and the change from rotary torotary and vibratory motion, or vice versa, may be made quickly andeasily without any jar or strain upon the apparatus. The screw-shaft 0'will also hold the devices in any position to which they may be moved.

The operation of my improved machine is as follows: When the machine isstarted, it will ordinarily be arranged for simple rotary motion, inwhich case the rods P P will be intheir highest positions, thefriction-brakes on the collar 1) will be thrown out of engagement withthe flange E, and the ring P will be in its highest position. Thefriction-clutches N N will therefore clamp the friction-band, and thelocking-levers N will have locked the gears O and E together. When it isdesired to change to laterally vibratory and rotary motion, the crank Ois turned, so as to lower the rods P P and ring P. This will immediatelyrelease lockinglevers N N and the clutches N N, which connect the gearsO and E, and will apply the friction-brakes M M to the flange thusretarding the motion of the gear-wheel E and gradually causing thecranks to revolve. This causes the swinging or vibrating motion to beapplied very gradually, avoiding any shock or jar to the passengers andavoiding strain on the machine. As the pressure continues to be appliedto the brakes, the flange E and gear E will be brought to a stationaryposition and held until the movement of the rods P P is reversed by thecrank and worm-shaft to raise the ring P. This will at once throw offthe friction-brakes and throw the frictionclutches carried by thegear-wheel 0 into operation. The gear-wheel E will then gradually beginto move, and as it moves the cranks will gradually slow up, and thevibratory movement of the frame will gradually cease. As the frame comesto a horizontal position each of the locking-levers N N 3 will enter thesingle notch E prepared for it, thus locking the gears O and E togetherwith the frame in a horizontal position. I may also provide means forvarying the throw of the cranks to change the extent of lateralvibration imparted to the machine. For this purpose I propose to employthe form of crank shown in Figs. 8 and 9, in which R represents thecrank-arm provided with a pair of longitudinal slots 0* 'r, the upperface of said crank being preferably provided with serrations r, asindicated in the drawings. R represents a boss provided with a flangedbase r having its lower face serrated to engage the serrations of thecrank-arm R and provided with bolt holes to receive bolts *1, which passthrough said holes and through the slots 1' r of the crank-arm, so thatthe boss may be set at any desired distance from the axis of thecrank-arm. The boss R is provided with a vertical aperture whichreceives a pin R provided with ears 1* 1", through which a bolt passeswhich secures the crank-rod to the crank. To secure the pin R inposition I provide it with an annular groove, which is engaged by aset-screw T. It will thus be seen that the boss R may be set todifferent positions, so that the throw of the crank can be veryconsiderably varied. By using cranks constructed in this manner the ridecan be changed daily, and this will add to the attractiveness of themachine as an amusement.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard, ofa frame supported from the same, mechanism for imparting rotary motionto the said frame, separate mechanism for imparting a lateral vibratingmovement to said frame, and devices for gradually throwing saidvibrating mechanism into and out of operation, substantially asdescribed.

2. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard, ofa frame supported from the same,mechanism for imparting rotary motionto-the said frame, separate mechanism for imparting a lateral vibratingmovement to said frame and mechanism including friction devices forgradually throwing said vibrating mechanism into and out of operation,substantially as described.

3. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard, and the rotaryand swinging frame supported thereby, of operating mechanism forrotating said frame including a frame operating wheel journaled uponsaid standard, cranks for giving a lateral vibratory motion to saidframe carried by said frame operating wheel, a crank operating wheeljournaled also on said standard and provided with a friction surface, afriction shoe for holding said crank operating wheel stationary andmeans for actuating said shoe including a part moving within theperiphery of the j ournal of said wheels, substantially as described.

4. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard having a sleevesecured thereto and the rotary and swinging frame supported by saidstandard, of a frame actuating wheel journaled upon said sleeve, crankscarried by said wheel for giving a vibratory motion to said frame,acrank operating Wheel having a friction surface also mounted to revolveon saidsleeve, friction devices supported by said sleeve for holdingsaid crank actuating wheel stationary and means for actuating saidfriction devices including a rod sliding within the periphery of saidsleeve, substantially as described.

5. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard andthe frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting rotary motion tosaid frame including rotating parts, cranks carried by said rotatingparts for imparting a lateral vibratory motion to said frame, a crankoperating wheel, friction devices for stopping said wheel, and hold--ing it stationary, a friction device and a lever for actuating the samecarried by said rotating parts for coupling said crank operating wheeltherewith, substantially as described.

6. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard andthe frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting rotary motion tosaid frame including rotating parts, crank mechanism for imparting alateral vibrating motion to said frame, a crank operating wheel,friction devices for s'toppin g said wheel and holding it stationary,

a friction device for coupling the crank operating wheel therewith andoperative lever therefor carried by said rotating parts, and devices forsimultaneously throwing the stopping devices into and the couplingdevices out of operation and vice versa, substantially as described.

7. In a merrygo-round the combination with the supporting standard, andthe frame supported thereby, of a driven wheel for imparting rotarymotion to said frame, cranks carried by said wheel for imparting alateral vibrating motion to said frame, an independent crank operatingWheel provided with a friction flange, stationary friction devices forengaging one side of said flange to stop said wheel and hold itstationary, and friction devices carried by said driven wheel forengaging the opposite side of said friction flange for connecting saiddriven wheel and crank operating wheel for joint movement, substantiallyas described.

8. In a merry-goronnd, the combination with the supporting standard andthe frame supported thereby, of mechanism for imparting rotary motion tosaid frame including rotating parts, gears carried by said rotatingparts provided with cranks for imparting a lateral vibrating motion tosaid frame, a crank actuating gear wheel provided with a frictionsurface, the friction shoe for engaging said surface carried by saidrotating parts, the operating lever for said shoe, the rotary ringconnected with said lever, and means for moving said ring to actuatesaid lever and shoe substantially as described.

9. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard andthe frame supported thereby, of means for rotating said frame includingrotating parts, cranks for giving a lateral vibratory motion to saidframe, an actuating gear wheel for said cranks provided with twofriction surfaces, two friction shoes for engaging said surfaces, one ofsaid shoes being stationary and the other carried by the rotating parts,levers for actuating said shoes and a rod sliding longitudinally of thestandard connected with said levers whereby the movement of the said rodeffects complementary movements of said levers and shoes, substantiallyas described.

10. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard and the framesupported thereby, of mechanism for imparting a rotary motion to saidframe, cranks for giving the said frame a lateral vibratory motion,friction devices for starting and stopping the motion of said cranks anda lock for holding said cranks in a position to hold the said framehorizontal, substantially as described.

11. In a merry-go-round the combination with the standard and the framesupported thereby, of mechanism for imparting a rotary motion to thesaid frame, cranks for giving the said frame a lateral vibratory motion,a crank operating wheel, a friction device for gradually engaging thecrank actuating wheel to cause it to move in unison with the rotarymechanism, anda locking device to engage said wheel and hold the cranksin an intermediate position, substantially as described.

12. In a merry-go-round the combination with the supporting standard anda revoluble frame, of a socket secured to the top of the standard, aplate provided with a hollow stem having a hemispherical portionengaging said socket, a pin engaging said socket and pass ing throughsaid hollow stem and supports for the standard secured to said pin,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY S. MOORE. Witnesses:

O. W. PAYRAN, G. A. BOURGEOIS.

ICC

IIO

